Blood Fats Explained - HEART UK

1 Blood fats Explained HEART UK The Cholesterol Charity providing expert support, education and influenceFats in the bloodAt risk of cardiovascular disease? fats that circulate in the Blood are called lipids. Cholesterol and triglycerides are both lipids. They have essential roles in the body. In excess they are is needed to build cell walls and to make hormones and vitamin D. Some of our cholesterol comes from the food we eat; but most is made in the liver. When broken down cholesterol is used to make bile acids which help us to digest our are fats which are found in our food. When we eat, any fat in our food is absorbed by our gut (intestine).

2 It is then moved around the body, in our Blood , as triglycerides. The liver also makes triglycerides. They provide the energy that is needed by our muscles and organs and help keep us are lipoproteins? Cholesterol and triglycerides cannot circulate loosely in the Blood , so they travel in round parcels called lipoproteins. Lipoproteins contain a special mix of fats and proteins which allow them to flow freely in the Blood . The are four main lipoproteins (sometimes called apolipoproteins). They vary in size, content and how tightly they are packed (density). Chylomicrons are the largest. They carry triglycerides from the intestine to the tissues where they are needed as a source of energy.

3 The number of chylomicrons in the Blood increases after a meal and then slowly low density lipoproteins (VLDL) transport mainly triglycerides made by the liver to where they are either used to fuel our muscles or stored for later use. Low density lipoproteins (LDL) carry most of the cholesterol in our body from the liver to the cells that need it. The cholesterol that is carried on LDLs is called LDL-cholesterol or bad density lipoprotein (HDL) plays a vital role in taking excess cholesterol, away from cells and artery walls, back to the liver for disposal and recycling. Having healthy HDL levels means less cholesterol will build up in the artery wall.

4 The cholesterol that is carried on HDLs is called HDL-cholesterol or good also refer to intermediate density lipoprotein (IDL) in this booklet. These are cholesterol and triglyceride rich particles. Unlike chylomicrons the levels of VLDL, LDL, HDL, IDL and cholesterol change very little after a meal. The levels of these lipoproteins usually reflect longer term diet and lifestyle habits. Apolipoprotein B is the key protein for chylomicrons, VLDL and A is the key protein for HDL. Lipoprotein (a) or Lp(a) is a large sticky lipoprotein particle made in the liver. The amount of Lp(a) in our Blood is largely decided by our genetic makeup.

5 Doctors are interested in Lp(a) because high levels increase the risk of HEART and circulatory disease. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the medical name for circulatory diseases such as coronary HEART disease (CHD), stroke, mini stroke (transient ischaemic attack or TIA), angina and peripheral vascular disease (PVD). You are more likely to develop CVD the more risk factors you have. There are two types of risk factors:Fixed risk factors these include your age, family history and being a man. You cannot do anything to change these risk factors. Risk factors you can change: Unhealthy cholesterol (and triglyceride) levels in the Blood Smoking High Blood pressure Type 2 diabetes A large waistlineThere is a lot you and your doctor can do to lower your risk from these.

6 Stopping smoking can make a big difference to both your short and long term health. People who smoke are more likely to have a stroke, HEART attack or breathing problems when compared to someone with the same risk factors who does not smoke. On average smokers die 15 years earlier than non-smokers. Toxins in cigarette smoke put a bigger strain on the HEART - making it beat faster, increasing the risk of Blood clots and damaging the inside of your Blood vessels (arteries). Smoking also lowers your protective HDL-cholesterol. You can cut your risk of CHD in half, in just one year, by stopping pressure is a measure of the resistance to the flow of Blood around your body.

7 It is measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg). Your doctor or nurse will measure both your systolic (upper figure) and diastolic (lower figure) Blood pressure. About a third of adults have high Blood pressure. If untreated it increases the risk of HEART attack and stroke. High Blood pressure is usually diagnosed when a number of readings are made above 140/90mmHg. Type 2 diabetes can affect your HEART health. This is because it can affect the quantity and quality of fats (cholesterol and triglycerides) in your Blood . Usually people with type 2 diabetes have increased triglyceride levels (due to an increase in VLDLs), low levels of HDL and smaller sized LDL particles.

8 This pattern increases the risk of developing HEART large waistline is a sign that you are storing fat inside and around your vital organs. Doctors know this fat can increase your risk of diabetes and HEART problems. We talk more about this on page 5. Cholesterol and triglycerides have essential roles in the - like LDL and HDL - carry cholesterol and triglycerides around in the bloodHaving a healthy diet, not smoking, being active and keeping your waistline in check are good for everyone and can help you keep healthy. TRIGLYCERIDEUNESTERIFIED CHOLESTEROLCHOLESTERYL ESTERPHOSPHOLIPIDAPOLIPOPROTEIN AThe HDL lipoproteinWords in red are featured in our glossary on page | fats in the bloodAt risk of cardiovascular disease?

9 | 3 How your HEART worksWhy your liver is importantThe heartThe HEART , Blood vessels and Blood make up our circulatory system. The HEART is a muscle which never stops beating, it pumps Blood around the body. The left side pumps oxygen and nutrient rich Blood to the brain, muscles, organs, and every cell in the body. The right side of the HEART is slightly smaller and returns Blood to the lungs to be topped up with oxygen. The HEART has its own Blood supply which comes from the coronary arteries. These divide many times to provide oxygen and nutrients to every part of the HEART muscle to help keep it healthy and pumping diseaseProblems occur when any one of these arteries become narrowed due to the slow build-up of fatty material (called plaque or atheroma).

10 This process - called atherosclerosis - causes coronary HEART disease (CHD). Sometimes an artery can become so narrow it cannot deliver enough Blood . This results in warning symptoms such as chest pain we call this stable angina. When these fatty deposits become very large or extended they may burst. Just like when you graze your knee, a Blood clot and then scarring forms over the damaged area. Over time this damage may partly or completely block the artery. When this happens it is called acute coronary syndrome (ACS), unstable angina or HEART attack. A HEART attack is sometimes referred to as a myocardial infarction or is atherosclerosis?